Bike Alarms

jdlowery · 03-14-2004, 10:51 AM

I've searched the alarm threads but didn't see any mention of paging alarms. Is anyone using a paging alarm like the Scorpion SR-i500 (http://www.scorpioalarms.com/sr-i500.aspx)? Sounds like a good idea but I'm not sure how well it works or if it's more trouble than it's worth.

gamma · 03-14-2004, 01:02 PM

I bought a nice alarm, but not a paging type. It was not worth the effort. There was no way to make it not give numerous false alarms. And I had the remote kill switch on mine, trouble was if the battery gets a little low, and you engage the starter it would set the alarm off, and activate the kill switch. If you did not have the clicker with you then ride was over until the clicker arrived.

In my opinion this is what insurance is for, and the alarm was not worth the trouble of the cost.

Kevin
Orem Utah
2002 Boxer Prer
86 Suzuki RG500

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

jd~

i have the scorpio alarm. it works on an FM transmitter, rather than the usual methods. it will tell you if someone is close to the bike (proximity warning), if they touch it, or if they mess with the ignition. There's also a "kill the bike" switch if somehow you see someone riding off with your scoot.

surprisingly enough, it works very well. i parked the bike in a multi-level concrete parking structure and the alarm still paged me when i was inside the building. the distance was a little under a quarter mile, i'm guessing.
the bike was two floors below me at the time.

i've tried a few different bike alarms over the years. so far, this is the first one that works as claimed, doesn't toss off false alarms all the time....and actually gets the "alert page" to me. it also has a handy side feature...it keeps track of the battery's power level, letting you know if it's going low. (the alarm also has it's own remote power, in case the battery dies a slow death. If someone yanks the power wire off the battery to bypass the alarm, it has a complete fit and pages you like crazy).

...brad

jdlowery · 03-15-2004, 07:24 PM

Brad,

How difficult was it to wire? There didn't appear to be an OEM wiring adapter for BMWs on their website. So far, it sounds like a good product.

activator · 03-16-2004, 05:53 AM

I also looked at the Scorpio, but BMW was not listed as having a harness adaptor. Don't want to get into splicing and dicing the 'lectrics...

How did you install it Bradzdotcom?

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

there wasn't much to it. i was surprised.
the red wire to the positive post on the battery.....black to ground.
you tap./clip into the two lines going to each blinker (front or rear, you choose).....and you're done.
i mounted the unit in that spare space next to the battery and the proximity sensor next to the top shock mount under the seat.
the antenna for the pager is taped horizontally to the outside of the intake duct.

the whole thing took about an hour....most of that time checking wire codes, because i'm still waiting for a wiring diagram from BMW.

you don't need no stinkin' harness. you can even avoid wire cutters by using those tap/splic squeeze-on connectors in the kit. it's not a "hold your breath" installation.

instructions were good, everything worked right away...it was one of those installations that you finish and think "yea, that's the way it should be". no magic, no tech phone calls, no diving in the manual (that i don't have). the whole thing only took 2.3 beers to complete.

....brad

Dingo Joe · 03-16-2004, 07:42 AM

Alarm? do people even steal BMW's? I gotta think that our brand would be one of the least stolen bikes.

With cars it's not the coolest or best car that is stolen most, but it's the cars that are worth most to chop shops. Hence, a very popular car gets it the most, as a percentage. One could probably leave the keys in a Rolls and it'd never get taken...

I bet you could leave a KTM running and nobody would take it!!!

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

dingo~
i got the alarm because i don't like surprises.
over the years i've had a CR125 (and gonzo-size toolbox) taken from the back of my pick-up while in the grocery store, and a Yamaha (can't remember model, but it had ABS) that was snagged by two guys wanting to go for a joy ride.

i also don't like to take my "extra stuff" off the bike when parked (radar, tank bag, etc..), so the proximity alarm was a big part of my motivation.

i agree: with cars it's stuff like honda accords and toyota camrys. with bikes it's often a couple of guys with a screwdriver, looking for something to joy ride/trash for a few hours.

...brad

jdlowery · 03-16-2004, 03:24 PM

brad, one last question. What's the response time from alarm set off to getting a page? I'm guessing you must have tested this.

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

jim~

pretty close to instantly. i just went and checked it by setting the alarm, then slapping the seat to set it off. the bike made only two beeps (about a second in time), before the pager went off.
i tried it a couple more times. it's average about a second...at most two...from the time bike starts screaching until the pager chirps in. not very long at all.

...brad